CHICAGO — Michigan’s run was 5-0 then 10-0 then 15-0 before finally settling at 21-0. The Wolverines used a massive first half run that Tennessee was never able to recover from as Michigan routed the Vols 95-62 in the Elite Eight on Sunday afternoon.
Here’s three quick takeaways as Tennessee’s season comes to a close in the Elite Eight for a third straight season.
The 21-0 Run Where Tennessee Lost The Game
Unlike last season against Houston, Tennessee survived the start of the game and was tied through the first two media timeouts of the game. Jaylen Carey hit two free throws coming out of that timeout to give the Vols a 16-14 lead.
Carey was the next Tennessee player to score over five minutes later. It cut Michigan’s lead to 35-18. The Wolverines won the game with a massive 21-0 run that Tennessee was never able to recover from.
The Wolverines continued to make it difficult for Tennessee to create open looks but after the Vols controlled the glass early, Michigan grabbed rebounds and got out and run. Michigan’s offense makes its hay by scoring in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock and that’s where they killed Tennessee.
Yaxel Lendeborg got downhill and scored and Michigan also made correct reads and found open shooters who knocked down shots. Over the six minute stretch, Michigan shot seven-of-eight from the field while making five of its six free throw attempts.
Tennessee missed 10 shots over the stretch while also turning the ball over three times. The Vols did not get many open looks, but when they did they were unable to capitalize.
Tennessee Did Not Get Enough From Its Stars
Getting easy shots, especially inside, was always going to be extremely difficult against Michigan’s elite defense. If the Vols were going to have success against Michigan then Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament were going to have to have massive performances. That wasn’t the case.
Gillespie led Tennessee with 21 points but scored just six points in the first half on two-for-11 shooting from the field. He still struggled to find his stroke from deep, finishing the game by making just four-of-13 three-point attempts.
Ament was far less effective. Few players in the country matched up better against him then Lendeborg and the Big 10 Player of the Year made his life extremely difficult. Ament scored just seven points and did it on an incredibly inefficient two-for-12 shooting from the field.
J.P. Estrella has been Tennessee’s third best offensive player but provided little, scoring just seven points on three-for-nine shooting from the field.
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Michigan Remained Hot From Deep
The Wolverines had shot extremely well from three-point range in their first three NCAA Tournament games and that largely continued against Tennessee.
Michigan knocked down five-of-12 first half three-point attempts and kept it rolling early in the second half when they made it clear there would be no comeback bid. The Wolverines cooled off late but still finished the game shooting 10-for-28 from deep.
Lendeborg was the Michigan’s leader from deep, making a trio of triples. But besides Lendeborg, not any one Michigan player went off. Roddy Gayle Jr hit a pair of triples while seven total Michigan players connected from deep.
When Michigan hits 10 triples, it’s going to be very difficult for anyone to beat them. All the more a flawed Tennessee team who shot just five-of-26 from deep.
Final Stats
Up Next
Tennessee’s season comes to an end in the Elite Eight for a third straight season. The Vols now return to Knoxville to begin building their roster for next season. The transfer portal officially opens on Tuesday, April 7.
